The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) selected eight and one half acres of abandoned storage area owned by the Department or Water and Power as a site for land redevelopment. The park is located along Compton Boulevard and is an oasis amidst an industrial wasteland, surrounded by concertina-topped chainlink fenced graffiti covered warehouses.

This once concrete pipe storage yard occupies and entire city block and provides open space and serenity in the heart of Los Angeles. Native plant communities, riparian areas and rolling hills can be found along the paths of the Nature Park. Wildflowers bloom in the springtime and autumn colors can be seen in the leaves of the sycamore trees each fall. The Evan Frankel Discovery Center is an elegant and charming, craftsman style building with hardwood floors, stained glass doors and period fixtures. The upper floor is the home of the resident park ranger and family.

Named after Augustus F. Hawkins, who represented the South Central Community from 1963 to 1991 in the U.S. House of Representatives, the park affords local residents a place to gather and socialize. It is a safe environment for children to ride bikes, for people to stroll and enjoy a pastorial environment without the 2 hour drive to the mountains.